WESTWOOD—The Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce 2021 Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner, honoring recipients for their selfless contributions to the Pascack Valley, is set for Oct. 14, and you’re invited.
Scott Laughton was born in California; his parents, Mary and David, moved the family to Park Ridge when he was very young. Scott grew up in Park Ridge with his brother, Bruce, and sister, Kimberly, who also still live in the Pascack Valley area.
He attended the Park Ridge schools and graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1987 and attained the rank of Eagle Scout from BSA Troop 80 of Park Ridge.
After a year in college, Laughton decided that he needed direction, so he joined the U.S. Army. He is a two-tour veteran of the Persian Gulf War.
After the Army, Laughton worked as a police officer for 25 years. During his final years with the police department, Laughton decided to return to college and in 2016, earned a degree in nursing from Bergen Community College.
Upon retirement from the Park Ridge Police Department in 2019, he embarked on a new career path, as a registered nurse, joining Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck in December 2019.
Then, Covid-19 became a global pandemic and Laughton continued his frontline work, this time in that fight. Due to his background and training in dealing with crises, he was made the charge nurse of the Covid unit day shift.
Laughton resides in Ramsey and is the father of two teen boys: Andrew, 16, is a wrestler at Ramsey High School. Finlay, 13, is a middle school lacrosse player.
Bill McLaughlin is very active in supporting several area nonprofit organizations. A Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Board Trustee, he is a founder and the chairman of the board for The Jillian Fund.
He has served as chair or committee member, responsible for raising funds and awareness, for Christian Health Care Center, Tackle Kids Cancer, Westchester Hospice, Girl Scout Heart of the Hudson and United Hospice of Rockland County.
He resides in Montvale with his wife, Kristina, and two daughters: Sofia and Isabella.
McLaughlin is senior vice president of Major Account and Strategic Sales at The Kaseya Companies, a global leader in technology automation and security software solutions.
Prior to Kaseya, he was executive vice president and chief technology officer at Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office, a provider of office automation solutions and one of the largest privately held technology companies in the United States.
He also held leadership roles at several top-tier office technology companies, including NER Data Corp, Parts Now, and Allied Office Products.
The Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce (GPVCOC) said in its announcement, “One of the things that makes the Pascack Valley such a wonderful place to live and work are those who actually reside here. One of many activities the Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce has the pleasure of sponsoring is the annual Citizen of the Year Awards. Each year, the GPVCOC honors a person (or persons) who the Chamber feels exemplifies good citizenship and shows an admirable commitment to the community.”
Information on ticket sales, journal ads, and donations will be available shortly via email from GPVCOC@gmail.com.
The Greater Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce (GPVCOC) is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization comprised of business organizations and professionals working together to enhance our community.
It says, “Together, we can foster an environment that leads to increased growth in our businesses and neighborhoods. As concerned individuals working together at the GPVCOC, we can foster a vital and responsive chamber of commerce, which results in a better return for business, professional and industrial development.”
A portion of the dinner profits will be donated to the recipients’ choice of charities and a portion will be used to fund the annual scholarships for deserving seniors at all Pascack Valley-area public high schools.